When I host a party, there always tends to be one food that disappears before any other, and I don't get a chance to have any of it. Usually that's anything with a toothpick. Smoked sausage is one of the perfect foods for creating appetizers for parties.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus a little encouragement and inspiration from me, straight to your inbox.
It's cheap, and it's already cooked, and you can do so many things with it. There's no stress, and whatever you decide to do with them, they'll be guaranteed to vanish.
Dinner is handled every Sunday
Get 5 easy family dinners, printable recipe cards, and one grocery list. Simple meals, normal ingredients, no more starting from zero at 5pm.
What I like to do is actually reserve some of my favorite appetizers for myself. Otherwise I won't end up getting any. These 16 appetizers are exactly the kind of crowd-pleasing nibbles that you need when you're trying to manage one of your own parties.
Everyone will love them.
1) Honey Garlic Smoked Sausages
These honey garlic smoked sausages will vanish within a few minutes. I love watching people's reactions when I serve up something with a sticky glaze on it. It's almost always a hit.
When making party snacks, I like to use a lot of garlic. You need bold and big flavors when you have a lot of drinks in a noisy room.
All you need to do is slice the sausage, coat it in the glaze, and then let it caramelize. It's ideal for sticking on the end of a toothpick. Stand back and watch your guests devour them.
Honey Garlic Smoked Sausages
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ketchup together in a skillet.
- Add the sausage coins and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Cook 12 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until the sausage is heated through and coated.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer 2 minutes until the glaze thickens and turns glossy.
- Transfer to a serving bowl with toothpicks and serve warm.
Notes
2) Bacon-Wrapped Sausage Bites
Wrapping anything in bacon is a big win for me, and these bacon-wrapped sausage bites are definitely a winning combination. It's totally foolproof. These are great for parties and for making when you're tired.
It's a classic flavor combination, and I know it will work. Everyone loves the rich, flavorful taste they get from these. All you need to do is wrap them and bake them until the bacon is crispy, and that's it.
Bacon-Wrapped Sausage Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Wrap each sausage piece in a half strip of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Toss the wrapped bites in brown sugar and paprika until coated.
- Arrange on the sheet and bake 25 to 30 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and caramelized.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving so the sugar sets.
Notes
3) Cajun Smoked Sausage Rolls
When it comes to game day in my house, the snacks tend to reflect how much energy I've got, but wrapping anything in pastry is always a good start. These Cajun smoked sausage rolls have a nice kick but are not always spicy.
The flaky pastry is lovely and buttery and helps to balance out the Cajun. These are usually gone before the main event but are also quite handy to keep everybody out of the kitchen while I finish preparing.
Cajun Smoked Sausage Rolls
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Cut the puff pastry into strips wide enough to wrap each sausage piece.
- Spread a little Dijon on each strip, sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, and roll around the sausage.
- Place seam-side down, brush with beaten egg, and dust with extra seasoning.
- Bake 18 to 22 minutes until puffed and deep golden, then slice each roll in half.
Notes
4) Smoked Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffing things are great for parties, but nothing too large. Stuffed mushrooms are the ideal size, and they give you a cute bite-sized appetizer. Filling them with a mixture of smoked sausage gives you something really savory and satisfying.
These are always a big hit at my parties. They are substantial and warming, and they elevate a basic stuffed mushroom into something special. It's also a great way to stretch a small amount of meat across a big crowd and will help keep your budget low.
Smoked Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and arrange the mushroom caps on a baking sheet.
- Brown the chopped sausage in a skillet over medium heat, about 5 minutes, then cool slightly.
- Mix the sausage with cream cheese and half the Parmesan until combined.
- Spoon the filling into each cap, then top with remaining Parmesan and breadcrumbs.
- Bake 18 to 20 minutes until the tops are golden and the mushrooms are tender.
Notes
5) Sausage Jalapeño Poppers
In my house, everybody already loves jalapeño poppers, but if you want to upgrade them, try adding smoked sausage to the cream cheese base. You might think adding meat to these is not needed. They work already, but the sausage really does pair well with the jalapeños and the cream cheese.
I like to pair creamy and spicy quite a lot in my cooking. I like things quite spicy, but the cream cheese and the sausage help to balance everything out. This appetizer is definitely a bit more filling and substantial than your average popper.
Sausage Jalapeño Poppers
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Brown the diced sausage in a skillet for about 5 minutes, then let it cool.
- Stir the sausage into the cream cheese and half the cheddar.
- Fill each jalapeño half and top with remaining cheddar and breadcrumbs.
- Bake 18 to 22 minutes until the peppers soften and the tops are golden and bubbly.
Notes
6) Pineapple Glazed Sausages
It may seem strange to think of serving up tropical flavors at a winter party, but it's actually one of my secret weapons. People get tired of heavy, rich food and casseroles, and these pineapple-glazed sausages are great for cutting through all the richness. The sweetness and tangy pineapple pair really well with the sausage.
Some people don't like sweet and savory together, but I love the contrast. It's bright, it's vibrant, and it helps to wake up the entire spread. Also, if you use canned pineapple chunks and make a simple glaze, you can throw this together in no time.
Pineapple Glazed Sausages
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk pineapple juice, brown sugar, mustard, and vinegar in a saucepan.
- Add the sausage coins and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook 3 to 4 minutes until the glaze thickens.
- Toss to coat every piece in the glossy sauce.
- Serve warm with toothpicks.
Notes
7) Smoked Sausage Skewers
When I usually make skewers, I tend to find it a little bit fussy and pretty annoying to try and assemble, but if you're trying to make something appear fancy, then it's one of the better formats to use. It's amazing how a skewer of alternating chunks of smoked sausage and peppers brings so much color to a plate.
The great thing about these also is that I usually spend a little bit more time preparing them, but I know that in the end I'm not going to have a lot of plates to clean. So it's definitely worth it.
Smoked Sausage Skewers
Ingredients
Method
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes and preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high.
- Thread sausage coins, peppers, and onion onto the skewers, alternating as you go.
- Brush with olive oil and grill 10 to 12 minutes, turning, until the veggies char.
- Brush with barbecue sauce in the last 2 minutes and let it caramelize.
- Serve hot straight off the skewers.
Notes
8) Sausage Cheese Balls
When it comes to potluck food and I'm asked to bring something, I always tend to panic a little and fall back on these sausage cheese balls. They are traditional and will always go down a treat regardless of any current food trends. I don't tend to follow these or have any nostalgic feelings for anything retro, but these are so flavorful, and they travel really well.
They are guaranteed to work every single time. All you need to do is mix the sausage and cheese together, bake them, and roll them into balls. You don't need to be delicate with them, and you end up with some great comfort food that everybody will love.
Sausage Cheese Balls
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Mix the minced sausage, baking mix, cheddar, milk, and garlic powder until a dough forms.
- Roll into 1-inch balls and space them on the baking sheet.
- Bake 20 to 22 minutes until golden brown and firm.
- Cool a few minutes and serve with ranch or mustard.
Notes
9) Sausage and Cranberry Bites
You might think that cranberries with smoked sausage sound a little bit strange, but you should honestly try these sausage and cranberry bites. They work so well together. I only tend to use cranberries around the holiday time, but they give a really good sharp acidity that helps to cut through the smoky flavor of the meat.
I'm a huge fan of smoky and sweet combos. They just feel so balanced to me. I don't like an appetizer that's just one flavor.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus a little encouragement and inspiration from me, straight to your inbox.
When you pair flavors like this, you get something interesting and complex, and it actually makes you think a little. It's a great way of elevating some cheap smoked sausage into something sophisticated for your parties.
Sausage and Cranberry Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Stir the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and orange juice in a saucepan.
- Add the sausage coins and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook 15 to 18 minutes, stirring, until the sauce reduces and clings.
- Toss to coat the sausage evenly.
- Transfer to a bowl and serve warm with toothpicks.
Notes
10) Brown Sugar Sausage Appetizers
I love making appetizers that look super impressive and that people think I must have spent forever making them. In reality, I haven't. These brown sugar sausage appetizers are made of only three ingredients, yet they always impress.
I have a whole list of recipes with three ingredients or less. They are the perfect ones to use for when I have parties, as it takes a lot of energy and I'm usually tired before the guests even arrive. All you need to do is toss the sausage in some brown sugar to create a great caramelized sweet glaze.
It's pretty much effortless. I make this regularly because it's one of the easiest options that still gives a great result.
Brown Sugar Sausage Appetizers
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon until it dissolves into a glaze.
- Add the sausage coins and toss to coat.
- Simmer 12 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until sticky and caramelized.
- Serve warm with toothpicks.
Notes
11) Teriyaki Smoked Sausage Slices
I don't usually try to recreate my favorite takeout recipes, as it can sometimes get too complicated and usually needs a whole lot of special ingredients. These teriyaki smoked sausage slices, though, manage to give the flavor of Japanese takeout. I even use a simple shortcut and buy a really good bottle of teriyaki sauce, tossing the sausage in that sauce.
It gives something that tastes way more complicated than it really is. It's a great way of giving your guests a familiar flavor profile but in something that's bite-sized. I love how it is almost effortless too.
Teriyaki Smoked Sausage Slices
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the teriyaki sauce, honey, and ginger in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sausage coins and simmer 12 to 15 minutes, stirring, until glazed.
- Let the sauce reduce until it coats the back of a spoon.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
- Serve warm with toothpicks.
Notes
12) Sweet and Spicy Sausage Meatballs
When I am hosting a party, I'm a huge fan of the set-it-and-forget-it style of cooking. I think putting these sweet and spicy sausage meatballs into your slow cooker is definitely a smart move. The sweet and spicy balance is foolproof, and it doesn't really matter whether you make the meatballs from scratch or use a bag of frozen ones.
It's the sauce that's doing all the work.
The great thing about the slow cooker is that it will keep them warm for hours, and you aren't stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is mingling. It's pretty much hands-off but super practical.
Sweet and Spicy Sausage Meatballs
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Mix the ground sausage, breadcrumbs, and egg, then roll into 1-inch meatballs.
- Bake 15 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Simmer the grape jelly, chili sauce, and sriracha in a skillet until smooth.
- Add the meatballs, toss to coat, and simmer 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
13) Apple Sausage Crescent Rolls
Some people worry when they see something like apple combined with something savory. It's definitely one of my favorite flavor combos. These apple sausage crescent rolls taste like autumn.
It's always handy to keep a can of crescent roll dough in the fridge. I love shortcuts like these.
The flaky pastry with the smoky sausage and the sweet apple just works. I love the contrast and texture. It captures autumn without you having to bake anything from scratch.
They are also perfectly bite-sized and ideal for parties.
Apple Sausage Crescent Rolls
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Separate the crescent dough into triangles and spread each with a little Dijon.
- Lay a sausage piece and a thin apple slice at the wide end and roll up.
- Place on the sheet, brush with beaten egg, and arrange seam-side down.
- Bake 15 to 18 minutes until golden and puffed, then serve warm.
Notes
14) Barbecue Sausage Sliders
When it comes to feeding a crowd at my parties, I've learned that it's usually just all about logistics. The hard part is making sure that everybody gets enough to eat. Sliders are great for this.
They are easy to make for a crowd and serve.
These barbecue sausage sliders give a lot of flavor inside a small bun. I usually don't have the time to simmer a sauce for hours, so I will use a store-bought barbecue sauce. Just try and get the best that you can.
Tossing the sausage in the barbecue sauce and throwing it into a bun gives you something small yet huge in flavor. Not only are these easy to make, but they're also really cheap.
Barbecue Sausage Sliders
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place slider buns in a baking dish.
- Simmer the sausage coins in barbecue sauce for 10 minutes until glazed.
- Spoon the saucy sausage onto the buns and top with cheddar.
- Brush the bun tops with melted butter and cover with foil.
- Bake 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese melts and the buns are warm.
Notes
15) Stuffed Bell Pepper Sausage Boats
I'm a big fan of foods that are not one thing or the other. Is it a snack or is it a meal? When you serve up these stuffed bell pepper sausage boats, they are quite heavy and really satisfying.
They could quite easily replace a meal for some people.
The great thing about using bell peppers is that they are the ideal base for stuffing and they hold their shape well. The sweet crunch helps to balance out the savory sausage. I find them quite addictive.
When it comes to my parties, I don't really try to portion control everything. If people love it, then let them eat what they want. These boats are practical but also give your guests something comforting and hearty.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Sausage Boats
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and arrange the pepper halves on a baking sheet.
- Brown the diced sausage in a skillet, then stir in the rice and marinara.
- Spoon the filling into each pepper boat.
- Top with shredded mozzarella.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes until the peppers soften and the cheese is bubbly.
Notes
16) Peach Mango Sausage Bites
This is another strange combination, adding fruit to sausage, but the sweet peach and mango with smoked meat is actually incredible. It's definitely one of those rare combos that people will ask you about and want your recipe.
I like to make these all year, not just in the summer. I really enjoy the refreshing tropical flavors against all the heavy cheese dips that I have at my parties. I'm quite happy to use frozen or even canned peaches and mangoes.
It's all about saving time.
Ingredients
Method
- Stir the peach preserves, mango puree, lime juice, and sriracha in a saucepan.
- Add the sausage coins and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook 15 minutes, stirring, until the glaze thickens and coats the sausage.
- Toss to coat evenly.
- Serve warm with toothpicks.
